Category: News

By Daniel Edu

Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), declared his commitment to remaining the prominent figure of the opposition in Nigeria despite receiving substantial offers to desist from condemning the administration of Bola Tinubu. The former Governor of Anambra State disclosed this during a Twitter space interaction, Parallel Facts, on Sunday night.

Obi disclosed that he has been presented with enticing offers to halt his criticism of the Tinubu government, asserting that he has turned down these lucrative proposals. He further claimed that the administration led by Tinubu is orchestrating negative actions against him in response to his refusal to accept their offers.

Expressing his steadfastness, Obi emphasized his readiness to persist in standing up for what he believes is right and to make necessary sacrifices for the betterment of the country. He stated, “The offers that I’ve been getting from these people are mind-blowing. I have refused, and they are ready to plan negative things against me! But I’m ready to continue to stand and sacrifice for the right thing.”

In a related development, Peter Obi asserted that he is the rightful winner of the 2023 presidential election in Nigeria. Despite acknowledging that this truth may not be widely recognized due to the uniqueness of Nigeria and its people, he clarified that his ambition is not driven by desperation for the presidency but rather by a genuine desire to witness positive change and progress in the country.

…. Secures Mareva Injunction against AKK Project

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting in Nyanya, presided by Justice Edward Okpe, has granted a Mareva injunction restraining eight financial institutions, each and everyone of them their servants, agents and privies from transferring or dealing with or paying over or disposing of however, any money standing to the credit or which may come to the credit or for the benefit or to any of the Defendants or all the Defendants or removing such moneys in the Defendants Bank Account as listed in “EXHIBIT A” attached to the affidavit in support of the instant application, from jurisdiction, pending the determination of the substantive suit in this Court.

Justice Okpe made the order upon hearing of a motion exparte marked FCT/HC/M/1962/2023, dated and filed on December 13, 2023.

The exparte motion moved by Martin Onoja Esq. on behalf of Bablink Resources Nig. Ltd. on Thursday, was drawn from a suit marked FCT/HC/CV/589/2023, filed by Bablink Resources Nig. Ltd. against Brentex Petroleum Ltd. and China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering Co. Ltd.

“The Defendants’ Bank Account Exhibit “A” to which this order relates attached to the affidavit in support of the Motion is hereby incorporated as part of this order” Justice Okpe ordered.

Meanwhile, in the substantive suit, Bablink wants declaration that the Claimant acted jointly with the Defendants (by deploying its technical expertise, experience, facilities, personnel, amongst others) in the formation of the unincorporated Brentex-CPP Consortium that submitted a bid to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and successfully won the contract for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) of part of the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano Gas Pipeline (“AKK Gas Pipeline Project”).

Bablink wants an order directing the Defendants to pay it a sum representing at least 30% of the net profit accruing to the Brentex-BPP Consortium for the portion of the Contract already performed without the participation of the Claimant or any other sum the court may determine considering the overall circumstances of the case as compensation for the Claimant’s efforts towards the award of the Contract to the Defendants by the NNPC.

The Claimant is asking for an order of compensation to the tune of ₦10,000,000,000.00 (Ten Billion Naira) in favour of the Claimant and to be paid by the Defendants for the unjust, unfair, callous and unconscionable exclusion of the Claimant so far from performing part of the Contract as agreed by the parties and evidenced by the Origin and Scope of the Tenderer’s Supplier/Sub-contractors Form dated 6th April 2016, which was submitted by the Defendants to NNPC for the award of the AKK Gas Pipeline Project.

“A declaration that the deployment of the Claimant’s complementary assets, certifications, qualifications, experience, equipment and personnel provided significant advantage to the Brentex-CPP Consortium and led to the eventual award of part of the AKK Gas Pipeline Project now known as Segment II of the AKK Gas Pipeline Project to the Defendants by the NNPC.

“A declaration that the Claimant, having acted jointly with the Defendants to bid and win Segment II of the AKK Gas Pipeline Project is entitled to be awarded project management services, execution of some subcontracts within the scope of the work in full spectrum of Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Installation Pipelines i.e. Construction and Pre-commissioning works as agreed by the parties and evidenced by the Origin and Scope of the Tenderer’s Supplier/Sub-contractors Form dated 6th April 2016 which was submitted by the Defendants to NNPC for the award of the AKK Gas Pipeline Project or in the alternative share in the profits accruing from the performance of the Contract by the Brentex-CPP Consortium.

The Claimant is also seeking a perpetual injunction restraining the Defendants from sourcing or continue to source all the materials needed for the performance of the Contract from China or outside the country in continuous violation of the relevant laws and contrary to the understanding between the parties as evidenced by the bidding documents submitted to the NNPC.

Bablink wants a perpetual injunction restraining the Defendants from engaging other local companies and contractors who were not prequalified by NNPC and whose facilities, expertise and experience were never inspected, ascertained and certified satisfactory by NNPC.

“₦500,000,000.00 (Five Hundred Million Naira) damages for the reputational loss and loss of goodwill suffered by the Claimant as a result of the Defendants’ unfair and unconscionable conduct.

“₦1,000,000,000.00 (One Billion Naira) general damages for breach of the understanding and agreement between the parties in bidding and winning the Contract, the subject matter of this suit.

“Post judgment interest of 25% per annum on the Judgment sum from the date of judgment until the final liquidation of the judgment sum.

Among other prayers, Bablink is seeking an order directing the defendants to allow the Claimant to undertake and perform the remaining Pipeline Construction and Pre-commissioning works of the Contract as of the date of filing of this suit. END.

By our Correspondent

Ahead of the Court of Appeal verdict over the Adamawa state governorship election dispute, an aide to governor Ahmadu Fintiri, on new media, Alhaji Muhammad B. Tukur, has boosted in the Adamawa state capital yola, that the appellate court will today, deliver judgment in favour of his principal and the appeal will be dismissed.

The Court had slated December 18, 2023 to pronounce its decision on the appeal before it by the Adamawa State Governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, Senator Aishatu Ahmed (Binani).

A highly placed political source yesterday night told our Correspondent that one of the senior media handlers to governor Ahmadu Fintiri, had claimed that his principal had reached out to Justice Tunde Oyebamiji Awotoye( Presiding) and Justice Ebiowei Tobi, ahead of the judgment.

On the panel of justices handling the election dispute are Justice Tunde Oyebamiji Awotoye( Presiding), JUSTICE EBIOWEI TOBI and Justice Amina Audi Wambai, respectively.

A highly placed political source, late last night told our Correspondent that one of the governor top political aide, Alhaji Tukur, has claimed that the governor through his legal team has reached out to the panel members that are adjudicating over the matter to secure judgment in favour of governor Fintiri.

According to the source, already close members of the governor’s kitchen cabinet, political associates and family members are already celebrating the judgment that is yet to be delivered later today, particularly, in yola Adamawa state capital.

Senator Binani, is challenging the victory of the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the last governorship election, Ahmadu Fintiri, who has since been functioning as the state governor.

The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal, which had earlier heard the case and reserved judgment, will today deliver the awaited judgment

Binani had gone to the Court of Appeal shortly after the Adamawa State Governorship Electoral Petitions Tribunal in October 2023 dismissed the petition filed by the All Progressives Congress, APC and herself.

Binani had approached the tribunal asking it to quash the declaration of Governor Fintiri by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, as elected governor of Adamawa State.

In her petition challenging the governorship election conducted by INEC on March 18, 2023, Binani, who named INEC, Fintiri, and PDP as the first, second, and third respondents respectively, asked the tribunal to annul the election over non-compliance with the Nigerian Electoral Act.

The tribunal had, however, dismissed Binani’s petition and affirmed Fintiri’s victory, after which Binani filed an appeal at the appellate court.

The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has cautioned Nigerians against registering businesses without immediate plans to translate them into action. Mr. Justine Nidia, the Director of Compliance at CAC, emphasized the importance of having a concrete business idea before proceeding with the registration process in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday.

Nidia discouraged the practice of registering companies and keeping them dormant, referring to such entities as “shelf companies.” He stated that these inactive companies are not beneficial to the economy and are eventually delisted from the register of companies.

The director explained that delisting aims to discourage the existence of shelf companies, which are registered but remain redundant. He noted that the commission had initially identified around 100,000 companies for delisting, giving a 90-day period for those wishing to remain in business to file annual returns.

After the initial publication, approximately 5,000 companies responded by filing their annual returns, leaving around 95,000 companies slated for delisting. Nidia added that the commission issued another publication, providing an additional one-month period for companies that have filed returns but are still on the list to submit evidence.

Commending the government’s efforts to create a conducive business environment, Nidia highlighted the CAC’s four-point agenda aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s mandate. The agenda focuses on diversification of the revenue base, enforcement of compliance, promotion of industrial harmony, and improvement of human capital to enhance the commission’s productivity.

The Enugu State Police Command has restated its prohibition on the sale and unauthorized use of firecrackers throughout the state in anticipation of Christmas.

According to a statement released by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, on Sunday via X, Enugu Commissioner of Police CP Kanayo Uzuegbu emphasized that the ban remains “in full force” and cautioned dealers and users of fireworks to “desist forthwith.”

CP Uzuegbu underscored the potential dangers associated with the use of explosives such as knockout bangers and firecrackers, including aiding criminals, causing injuries, and triggering fire outbreaks.

He pointed out the “tendency” of fireworks to facilitate crime, heighten tension, and pose “hazards to human life and property” during the dry harmattan season.

The CP warned that “violators would face the full weight of the law,” while urging parents to prevent their children from purchasing or igniting fireworks.

CP Uzuegbu directed Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers (DPOs), and Tactical Unit heads to “enforce the ban to the letter” and ensure tight security this Christmas season.

“We will not tolerate any security breaches in their jurisdictions,” he asserted.

In a season’s greeting, the CP wished Enugu citizens “a merry Christmas and a fruitful new year” but stressed the importance of vigilance and reporting criminal activity through emergency hotlines or email.

The statement emphasized the need for cooperation to ensure “a safe, peaceful, and enjoyable holiday for all Enugu residents.”

Organized labor in Nigeria is gearing up to establish a firm stance on the suspension of civil servants’ wage awards. The federal and state governments have been cautioned to be prepared for an increase in the minimum wage, currently set at N30,000 per month. The looming discussions come amid budget allocations by the Federal Government, totaling N1tn for wage adjustments, promotion arrears, and severance benefits in 2024.

While the Federal Government appears proactive, many state governments have remained silent on addressing a new minimum wage. The current N30,000 minimum wage is set to expire at the end of March 2024. The Trade Union Congress (TUC) is contemplating an extended industrial action if the wage awards are not promptly paid by the government.

Tommy Etim, Deputy President of TUC, highlighted the potential for industrial action if payments are not made, emphasizing the importance of negotiations based on current socio-economic realities. Etim also stated that a new minimum wage would consider various factors like housing and transportation.

Amid concerns about states lagging behind in budget adjustments for the new wage, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) stressed that compliance becomes mandatory once the law is enacted. The NLC insisted that negotiations for the new minimum wage should reflect the current cost of living, addressing the challenges posed by the removal of subsidies on petroleum products.

The NLC President, Joe Ajaero, emphasized the need for a well-motivated and well-remunerated workforce, acknowledging the impact on productivity and national development. The NLC is pushing for negotiations that result in a living wage, covering the cost of living and allowing for savings.

Beyond wage discussions, attention has turned to the delayed release of wage awards. The NLC and TUC had previously warned against reneging on agreements, citing the effects of subsidy removal on workers. While the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation assures that wage awards will be disbursed soon, workers remain vigilant to hold the government accountable.

Amid these developments, various states are navigating their positions on the new minimum wage. Some have made provisions in their budgets, while others are yet to initiate negotiations or provide clarity on their stance. The situation underscores the intricate dynamics of wage negotiations and the challenges faced by both workers and governments in addressing economic realities.